TRAGEDY AT STONEHAVEN

6 RMT has been left deeply shocked by a derailment in Aberdeenshire which left three people dead after the train struck a landslip covering the track. Driver Brett McCullough, conductor and RMT member Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury died in the crash. The men died when the 06:38 Aberdeen to Glasgow service crashed on August 12 near Stonehaven. RMT senior assistant general secretary Mick Lynch sent a message of condolences, support and solidarity to Donald Dinnie's family, friends and colleagues on behalf of the whole union. “It is absolutely clear that he was much loved and highly respected by all who knew him and his death is a tragedy that has shocked our entire industry. We share the grief of those who were close to Donald. "Donald's branch, Aberdeen 1, have told me that he was an amazing person who lit up every room he walked into with his cheery banter and stories. “Many knew Donald for most of his railway career as a driver and a guard. He was very much a family man and a valued, active and proud member of the RMT. His loss has cast a long shadow over his branch, his region and the whole national union. "Our thoughts at this time are also with the driver, Brett McCullough, a member of our sister union ASLEF, and the passenger who also lost their lives in the incident. "RMT will continue to provide whatever support we can to Donald's family and colleagues at this terrible time. We are united in both our grief and our determination to ensure that safety on our railways remains the absolute priority,” he said. Further lives were saved when off-duty guard and RMT member Nicola Whyte was travelling to work for ScotRail on the fateful service when it derailed near Stonehaven. Her safety-critical training kicked in when she realised the train had crashed and rear protection was required. As there was no mobile phone signal she walked to a signal box to call for help despite her The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is investigating the fatal accident that occurred near Carmont on the national rail network in Scotland. After departing Stonehaven, the train continued past Carmont on the up (southbound) line until it was stopped by the signaller at Carmont, using a radio message. This was because the signaller had just received a report from the driver of a train on the down (northbound) line that a landslip was obstructing the up line between Carmont and Laurencekirk. When it became apparent that the train could not continue its journey south, the decision was taken to return it to Aberdeen, and it was routed back over a crossover at Carmont onto the down RMT has been left deeply shocked by a derailment in Aberdeenshire which left three people dead after the train struck a landslip covering the and his death is a tragedy that has shocked our entire industry. We share the grief of those who were close to Donald lives in the incident. "RMT will continue to provide whatever support we can to Donald's family and colleagues at this terrible time investigating the fatal accident that occurred near Carmont on the national rail network in Scotland. After departing TRAGEDY AT STONEHAVEN Injured RMT member Nicola Whyte walks three miles to raise the alarm after the Stonehaven crash in Scotland RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2020 :: RMTnews